Lessons from Peter’s Denials
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Peter’s denials of Christ marked the time of his greatest failure but they were countered by Christ’s love. Because he accepted the forgiveness and restoration from Jesus Christ, it ushered in great victory for Peter and he went on to minister with great power, humility and love.
Peter’s Denials (from Aramaic Peshitta)
| Matt 26:33-35 | Mark 14:29-31 | Luke 22:31-34 | John 13:36-38 |
| This very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny me 3 times | This very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me 3 times | The rooster will not crow today until you have denied me 3 times | A rooster will not crow until you deny me 3 times |
| Matt 26:69-70 | Mark 14:66-68a | Luke 22:56-57 | John 18:17-18 |
| A certain maid (amtha): | A certain maiden (alimtha): | Certain young woman (alimtha): | Young woman, OS: “handmaid of the doorkeeper” |
| ” You also were with jesus the Nazarene.” | “And you also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” | “This [man] was also with him.” | “Are you also [one] of the disciples of this man?” |
| Peter: “I do not know what you are saying.” | Peter: “I do not know what you are saying.” | Peter: “Woman, I do not know him.” | Peter: “No.” |
| Matt 26:71–72 | Mark 14:68b–70a | Luke 22:58 | John 18:25–27 |
| Another (feminine): | Rooster crows. Again the maiden (alimtha) saw him and began to tell those who were standing there: | Another (masc): | They: |
| “This man also was there with Jesus the Nazarene.” | “This one also is one of them.” | “You also are of them.” | “Are you not also one of his disciples?” |
| Peter (with oaths): “I do not know the man.” | Peter denied it. | Peter: “I am not.” | Peter: “I am not.” |
| Matt 26:73–75 | Mark 14:70b– 72 | Luke 22:59– 62 | John 18:25–27 |
| Those who were standing by: | Those who were standing there: | Another (masc): | One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of him whose ear Simon had cut off |
| “Surely also you are one of them, for your speech also makes you known.” | “Truly you are one of them, for you are also a Galilean and your speech is like [theirs]. | “Truly this [man] also was with him, for he is also a Galilean.” | “Did I not see you with him in the garden?” |
| Peter began to curse and to say: “I do not know the man.” Rooster crows. | Peter (cursing and swearing): I do not know this man of whom you speak.” Rooster crows second time. | Peter: “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Rooster crows. Jesus looks at Peter. | Peter denied it. Rooster crows. |
This audio teaching is also available from the Acts Now Fellowship website.
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